Rifugio Cesare Branca

Rifugio Cesare Branca is a high-altitude alpine hut (rifugio) situated at 2,493 metres above sea level in the upper Valle dei Forni, a side valley of Valfurva in the Ortler Alps of Lombardy, Italy. It lies within the Stelvio National Park, directly facing the large Forni Glacier and dominated by peaks such as Punta San Matteo (3,678 m), Tresero (3,594 m), Vioz (3,645 m), Palòn de la Mare (3,708 m) and Cevedale (3,769 m). The hut is owned by the Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) and has been managed for years by the Alberti/Confortola family. It offers 102 beds and a winter room with 8 beds, and is typically open from mid-June to mid-September and from early March to mid-May for the ski touring season. The rifugio serves as a base for mountaineering and ski touring in the Ortler-Cevedale group, with numerous routes to surrounding summits and connections to neighbouring huts such as Rifugio Pizzini-Frattola, Rifugio Gianni Casati, Rifugio Quinto Alpini and Rifugio Vioz. Its official website provides information on opening dates, itineraries, climbing, webcams and contacts.

The construction of the Rifugio Cesare Branca began in 1932 on the initiative of Giuseppina Branca, who substantially co-financed the building in memory of her brother Cesare Branca, an enthusiastic alpinist. The hut was inaugurated in 1934 and handed over to the Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI). In 1978, the Dependance Martinelli was built next to the rifugio on the initiative of Luigi Martinelli in memory of his brother Genesio. In 1985 the rifugio was expanded, and in 1995 both buildings were connected by an annex so that they now form a single structure. The hut has been managed by the Alberti/Confortola family, who continue to run it today, offering hospitality in the heart of the Stelvio National Park.

• 1995

  Both buildings are connected by an annex to form a single structure.

• 1985

  The rifugio is expanded.

• 1978

  The Dependance Martinelli is built next to the rifugio on the initiative of Luigi Martinelli.

• 1934

  The hut is inaugurated and handed over to the Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano.

• 1932

  Construction of the hut begins on the initiative of Giuseppina Branca.

A historic, family-managed alpine hut in a pristine high-altitude setting, offering authentic mountain hospitality and access to world-class mountaineering and ski touring terrain.

• Alpine hut accommodation

  102 beds available for overnight stays.

• Winter room

  A winter room with 8 beds for use outside the main opening periods.

• Meals and refreshments

  Food and drinks served to guests.

• Ski touring base

  Starting point for numerous ski tours, including Monte Zebrù and Königspitze.

• Mountaineering base

  Base for ascents of Punta San Matteo, Cevedale, Palòn de la Mare, Monte Vioz, Pizzo Tresero and other peaks.

1. 1Official websiterifugiobranca.it
2. 2Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org